Trump suggested rescinding some of the newly granted waivers during the Monday meeting, according to four people familiar with the discussions who asked not to be named describing a private session.

Trump was told the waivers may not be reversible, but officials offered other ideas to mitigate the political impact in Iowa.

Administration officials suggested expanding environmental credits that encourage production of “flex-fuel” vehicles that can run on high-ethanol gasoline and requiring government agencies to use more of them – both steps that could.

The clash between the agriculture and environmental officials lines up with the clash between the lobbyists for the oil industry and farmers.

While ethanol took up most of the time, the meeting was intended to focus on trade with China.

Farmers are also angry that the trade war is costing them exports to China.